Neuss, Heinrich Georg—1664-1716—native of Elbingerode, superintendent[3] at Wernigerode. He published one hundred and thirty-four hymns in his ‘Hebopfer,’ (heave-offering).
[3]That is, in the Lutheran Church, one who has the ecclesiastical direction of a certain district.
Olearius, Johann—whose real name was Oelschläger—1611-1684—of Halle, chaplain to the king and superintendent-general at Weissenfels, a learned theologian. His numerous hymns stamp him as the Gellert of his time. With true scriptural singleness of heart, an ardent Christian mind, and great abilities, he endeavoured to restore the sublime simplicity of the church-hymns, and to put fresh vigour into their style. This gave him, as it did Gellert eighty-six years later, a great influence over the hymn-books, in which many of his writings were soon adopted.
Oswald, Heinrich Siegmund—who published in 1793, “Gedichte und Lieder fürs Herz,” which shew a beautiful Christian mind; he was still living in Breslau, as king’s privy counsellor, in 1827. From the “Schwanen-lieder,” (swan’s songs) of this venerable old man, is taken “Wem in Leidenstagen.”
Rist, Johann—1607-1667—of the province of Holstein, born at Ottensen, near Altona, member of the ecclesiastical council and minister at Wedel; one of the most celebrated and influential poets of his time. He was, in the pulpit, as well as in sacred poetry, a zealous preacher of Christianity, and was consequently attacked by the zealots of his time, because he did not preach enough upon matters in dispute, and against erroneous doctrine. To this he replied, that, “In his parish there were scarcely two persons who held erroneous doctrine, but there were many who led sinful lives.” He had great trials in his youth, and in his later years he suffered from pillage, pestilence, and all the horrors of war. “The blessed cross,” he says, “has produced from me many hymns.” Though a great number of his hymns were adopted by many churches even during his life-time, he would never suffer them to be sung in his own church, with the exception of a Christmas hymn, which, on one occasion, he allowed the children of the school to practise, and to begin to sing on that festival, “wenn das Volk aus der Kirche zu gehen beginnt,” as the people were beginning to go out of church.
Ritter, Jacob—1627-1669—a native of Magdeburg, and a secretary at Halle.
Sacer, Gottfried Wilhelm—1635-1699—a native of Naumburg, who was at his death an advocate and privy-counsellor at Wolfenbüttel, distinguished in his official duties by a strict conscientiousness, and the most unbounded benevolence. He wrote the greater number of his hymns whilst a student at the university of Greifswald. Only a part of them appeared during his life-time: they were collected and published in 1714, and immediately procured him the reputation of a distinguished poet.
Schenk, Theodor—born at Alsfeld, died in 1727 whilst minister of the town of Giessen.
Schiebeler, Daniel—1741-1771—an advocate and a poet, who resided in his native city, Hamburg.
Schmolck, Benjamin—1672-1737—a Silesian, born at Brauchitschdorf, minister at Schweidnitz; a man of great piety, and very influential in his day. Most of his hymns (and they were above a thousand in number) are distinguished by a truly poetical and peculiar genius. Their characteristic is a simplicity and sincerity, which emulates that of Paul Gerhard, but without his sublimity.